The Luminaries Summary of Key Points

Set in 1866 New Zealand, ‘The Luminaries’ is a historical novel that weaves a complex narrative around a series of mysterious events, including a rich prospector’s disappearance and a prostitute’s attempted suicide.

The 1619 Project Summary of Key Points

The 1619 Project is an ambitious, influential initiative by The New York Times, aiming to reframe American history by considering 1619 as the start of this nation—when the first enslaved Africans arrived in Virginia. The book explores how every aspect of contemporary American life has been significantly shaped by slavery and its aftermath, from capitalistic economy and infrastructure, to music and cultural expressions.